Planet Zar: Nexus

After the night's revels and hatchings, Chrysothrix and his companions found themselves exhausted. Their party had tripled from three Refugium guests to nine creatures, and nearly all of them had succumbed to sleep nestled in Chrysothrix' brambles. While Lantessama offered plenty of indoor lodging, after the first few nights Chrysothrix found he preferred the comfort of the surrounding woods and lapping tides. He watched the waves roll in as his party gathered sleepily around him and found tidy nests along his neck and shoulders. Eliro and Agaric draped over his arms while wisps curled around him and the three tiny hatchlings found purchase in his foliage. The other guests meandered back to the housing or their own ships, until midnight crept into early morning hours and Chrysothrix finally pried himself away from the shoreline to find some soft moss to rest in for the remainder of the night.

:: You stayed up too late. :: Schorshagen's sleepy mind voice tutted. :: You're going to be too tired tomorrow. What if everyone else wants to leave early?::

"I think we'll all enjoy a good, long sleep in," Chrysothrix replied, easing his massive body to the forest floor.

Schorshagen wiggled under his arm, curling close against his chest. She was warm, but so tiny and delicate. Merely a few hours old and already too worried about those around her. Chrysothrix' endless histories had rubbed off on her too soon.

Mogadishu was already fast asleep, wound around Chrysothrix' wrist which had bloomed a bracelet of magenta snapdragons which now served as his pillow, but Chrysothrix could still feel the brush of his mind. Whirling with colors, a miasmatic canvas of a thousand different flowers dancing like poetry while the tiny wisp slept. Ajuran stretched his fiery body over his two bonds, shielding Eliro and Mendefera from the dark night. And Agaric, the one who started this whole adventure, was pleasantly passed out across Zwamyist's back, with Kismayo tucked under the dragonet's wing.

A sense of utter peace washed over Chrysothrix, overwhelming and perfect in such a way he hadn't felt in centuries.

:: Will it always be like this?:: Schorshagen asked.

"Probably not," said Chrysothrix, but it was with a smile.

----

"It was so frightening," Eliro squeaked. "I'd forgotten where you'd gone off too and even if I hadn't, there's no way I would have found you. Not in the dark! And when I went to go peer outside to see if maybe you were headed back, there were- it was- It was like a whole forest of ghosts! I nearly died of fright!"

:: It was just us, though. :: said Zwamyist, head cocked. He flipped his forepaw over, materializing the orb-lights of his magic. :: We're not scary. ::

Eliro snorted, ears pinned back. "Not yet, but you're going to get so big." He turned to Mendefera, voice lowered to a harsh whisper. "And then they might eat us!"

:: I won't let them! :: Ajuran snapped his wings open, blocking Eliro and Mendefera from view.

Zwamyist giggled.

"We went to the greenhouses," said Chrysothrix, who was presently seated cross-legged in the grass with Schorshagen in his lap and Mogadishu primping the leaves around his throat. "They're quite beautiful. Agaric is smitten with them."

"I heard there's a scary dragon there!" Eliro bleated. "One with big scary teeth and thorns."

Mendefera nodded in agreement. "A scary plant dragon that eats little things like us."

"Do you mean Evilness?" said Agaric. "Erianu told us about him, but he doesn't live at the Greenhouse." Agaric wisely decided not to mention that Evilness might be anywhere on Lantessama, as that would only further frighten Eliro.

:: There's only nice dragons there, like us. :: said Schorshagen, with a knowing nod. She could only glean this information from her bond's mind. Merely a day old, she'd never been able to visit the greenhouse herself, but...

:: We should all go! :: said Zwamyist, leaping to his feet. :: I want to see the greenhouse, don't you? ::

A chorus of agreements chirped from everyone, except Eliro - who looked frightened over the whole affair - and Ajuran who hovered dutifully over his bond and frowned.

A flickering green light cast itself across the group. Eliro yiped and ducked behind Ajuran, who burst forward and let out a whisper of flame. Chrysothrix, Agaric, and their bonds turned to see the origin of the light.

Ashglade stood behind them, smiling softly. "I'd like to see the Greenhouses here as well," she said. "I think it's time I looked into getting a bond of my own."

"When did you arrive?" asked Chrysothrix, rising to his feet to greet her.

"Just this morning," Ashglade replied. "With a message inquiring about your return, but there's no rush, the Refugium is managing itself."

Ignoring the giants for a moment, Agaric toddled toward Eliro and sat next to the little avandraya, settling a hand gently on his shoulder. "Are you really that worried about the greenhouse?"

"It's full of dragons, isn't it?" squeaked Eliro.

"Just little ones," said Agaric. They held up two fingers, barely an inch apart. "All babies or seeds, planted in pots. Besides... Ajuran will keep you safe."

Ajuran nodded stoutly, chin held high.